With heavy snow forecast across the UK and Ireland this week, drivers are being urged to prepare now to avoid delays and disruption to journeys over coming days.  

As the largest membership organisation representing the entire logistics sector, the Freight Transport Association (FTA) has decades of experience and expertise in helping drivers stay safe in all weather conditions.  FTA offers travel alerts, safety advice and a host of products to ensure professional drivers can stay on the road and get the job done this winter.

Practical safety information, tailored for commercial vehicles is available to all members on the FTA website.  Key points include allowing ten times the usual stopping distance when driving on ice and useful tips on moving a vehicle stuck in deep snow: http://www.fta.co.uk/policy_and_compliance/road/drivers/driving_safety_advice/snow_and_ice_driving_tips.html

Malcolm Bingham, FTA’s Head of Road Network Policy, says:”Commercial drivers are often working to tight deadlines, but the best way to avoid disrupting your schedule in adverse weather is to take extra time to prepare adequately and follow safe driving advice.   However good your skills, it is important to remember other road users do not have professional training and can easily get into trouble on ice and snow.  Brake well in advance and leave far bigger stopping distances.”

As Mr Bingham explains, FTA also monitors traffic and road conditions to keep transport managers and drivers updated at all times:

“FTA works closely with the national highway authorities and the Met Office to communicate vital weather information and provides a traffic information service via its website, which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to ensure that vital amber and red winter weather alerts are passed on to members as they are issued.  If we know about it, our members do too and that means they’re ahead of the pack when it comes to preparing for severe weather.”

Efficient logistics are vital to keep Britain trading, directly having an impact on more than eight million people employed in the making, selling and moving of goods. With Brexit, new technology and other disruptive forces driving change in the way goods move across borders and through the supply chain, logistics has never been more important to UK plc.

A champion and challenger, FTA is the only organisation representing the entire logistics industry.  FTA speaks to Government with one voice on behalf of the whole sector, with members from the road, rail, sea and air industries, as well as the buyers of freight services such as retailers and manufacturers.

Freight Transport Association

About the Author: John Loughran